"What are the main raw materials for sugar production in the Ming Dynasty?"
Han Cheng looked at Zhu Yuanzhang and asked.
"It's...sugar cane, right?"
After Zhu Yuanzhang thought about it for a while, he looked a little unsure and said.
While talking, he looked at Zhu Biao.
In such a big country, Zhu Yuanzhang had too many things to worry about.
It’s impossible to cover everything.
If you ask about various grains, he can give you a clear explanation, but if you talk about sugar production, he doesn't know that much.
Zhu Biao nodded and said, "Father, yes, it's sugar cane."
Zhu Biao knew more about this than Zhu Yuanzhang.
When sugar was first made, the most common raw materials used were malt and so on.
Later sugarcane gradually took over the dominant position.
Because it is much more cost-effective to use sugar cane to make sugar than to grow grain and then use the grain to sprout to make sugar.
"Since we are using sugar cane, wouldn't it be enough to use more types of sugar cane? Will the production of sugar increase in the future?"
Hearing Han Cheng's words, Zhu Yuanzhang was full of expectations. Zhu Yuanzhang, who was waiting for Han Cheng to speak out his eloquent words, was suddenly stunned.
"This...is the solution you want?"
He looked at Han Cheng and asked uncertainly.
This thing sounds like listening to you, just like listening to you.
Isn’t this pure nonsense?
Is this also called a solution?
Zhu Yuanzhang felt like he had been cheated.
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help his blood pressure soaring when he thought that Han Chenggong used this method to bargain seriously with him here and forcefully changed the marriage date between him and his precious daughter from three years to one year. .
I have the urge to hit someone.
If this bastard doesn't tell me something today, I will definitely not be able to forgive him this time! !
Next to him, Zhu Biao also felt a little dizzy. Is this Han Cheng's solution?
"Han Cheng, is there any other solution?"
Zhu Biao suppressed all the feelings in his heart and looked at Han Cheng to ask.
Zhu Yuanzhang didn't say anything. He and Han Cheng, who had just been discussing marriage here in a relatively amiable manner, changed their expressions again and looked at Han Cheng in an unkind way.
Today, if Han Cheng hadn't told him that a little mouse climbed onto the lampstand, he would never let him go easily!
“There is another solution, but saying it is in vain.
In later generations, there were two main raw materials for sugar production. One raw material was sugar cane, and the other raw material was sugar beet.
Sugarcane is mainly produced in the south, while sugar beets are grown in the north.
However, this beet, which is very sweet and is specially used to make sugar, is not available in my Ming Dynasty at this time.
According to the original history, it would take about two to three hundred years before it could be introduced to China.
However, after His Majesty reopens the Shipping Department and builds an ocean-going navy, he can bring this beet to our Ming Dynasty in advance.
But now, sugar cane can still only be used as the main raw material for sugar production.
Since sugar cane is the main raw material for sugar production, the only way to increase sugar production is to increase sugar cane production and allow people to diversify sugar cane.
With more raw materials, more sugar can be produced.
Other than that, there is no good solution. "
Is this really the method?
No other way?
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't sit still after hearing this.
I want to slap Han Cheng.
Isn't this a lie?
He felt like he was being played.
"Han Cheng, things are not as simple as you think.
Sugar cane cannot be used as food.
It's okay if there are less plantings, and it won't have much impact on Ming Dynasty.
But once too much is planted, it will inevitably affect food production.
It will have a lot of adverse effects on Daming.
It is indeed important to make sugar to increase the power of gunpowder, but it cannot affect the national economy and people's livelihood.
Besides, this sugarcane likes a warm climate, so it’s too far north.
It can only be planted further south.
Most of these places produce food..."
Zhu Biao expressed his concerns.
Zhu Yuanzhang was watching eagerly from the side. When he heard this, he could no longer suppress the anger in his heart and was ready to whip Han Cheng.
This bastard used such a stupid method to fool himself. It was really too much!
Han Cheng had already seen what Lao Zhu was thinking, and while walking to the side, he waved his hands repeatedly: "Don't do anything yet, just listen to what I have to say.
Since I have already said that there is a way to solve it, I will definitely not fool people like this. "
Hearing what Han Cheng said, Zhu Yuanzhang stopped and stood here looking at Han Cheng, waiting for his next words.
Under the premise that sugar cane cannot compete with growing grain for land, what good solution can this guy come up with?
Anyway, Zhu Yuanzhang didn't have any ideas.
"Your Majesty, Prince, have you forgotten a place?"
After seeing that Lao Zhu would not take action for the time being, Han Cheng once again regained his composure.
"Where?" Zhu Biao asked.
"Southwest! Didn't the army just take down Southwest? Lan Yu, Mu Ying, Fu Youde and others have not returned with their troops yet.
This place has long been occupied by the remaining forces of the Mongolian Yuan Dynasty. After the southwest is pacified this time, a lot of land originally occupied by the Mongolian Yuan nobles will definitely be obtained.
Under such circumstances, wouldn't it be enough to assign these lands to the imperial court as official land and use them to grow sugar cane?
The climate there is very suitable for the growth of sugar cane, and because it has just been pacified, there is a lot of unowned land. Planting sugar cane will not conflict with food.
Moreover, the sugar content of sugar cane is so high that there is no need to plant all the official fields in the southwest into sugar cane to obtain endless sugar. "
Hearing Han Cheng's words, Zhu Biao was stunned and suddenly realized.
yes!
Why had I forgotten the newly acquired land in the southwest?
When I was thinking about planting sugar cane before, I always thought about places like the Two Lakes and completely ignored the southwest.
At this time, when Han Cheng said this, he immediately felt like he was enlightened.
Zhu Yuanzhang, who had been staring at Han Cheng and wanted to slap Han Cheng, slapped him on the forehead.
yes!
Why did I forget Southwest?
If you include the southwest and plant sugar cane there, then all your worries will indeed be solved!
Han Chengzhen’s mind is so flexible!
It took such a short time to come up with this solution!
Just when Zhu Yuanzhang felt that Han Cheng had finished talking about the solution, Han Cheng used practical actions to show Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao that this was just the beginning.
When Han Cheng came up with solutions, it was always the old sow who wore the evil mask, one set after another.
"You two don't have to worry too much about growing sugar cane and boiling sugar with it.
It can be vigorously developed and operated as an industry, which will definitely greatly promote the economic development of the southwest in the future.
There were fewer rebellions there, and they were firmly bound to the Ming Dynasty to form a whole.
In fact, every aspect of personal life and the operation of the country is inseparable from the word money.
When the country has money, it can do many things to make the country more prosperous and powerful, and its rule is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.
When the people have money, they will not cause chaos. If you make the people live well, the people will recognize your rule..."
Han Cheng's words deeply touched Zhu Yuanzhang.
Han Cheng is so right!
If it weren't for the lack of money, would I be so eager to go to the sea to make money?
If it weren't for the fact that the family had no money and couldn't survive, how could I have followed others in rebellion?
Sugar is a good thing, but it is very expensive. Even with his current status, he has long realized the freedom to eat sugar. On weekdays, he still subconsciously feels that this thing is expensive and is reluctant to eat more.
If the sugar industry is developed in the southwest and the sugar is sold for money, many people engaged in related things will become rich.
As long as we become rich and don't starve to death, no one will rebel.
Even if there are some people who are willing to rebel, as long as many people are wealthy, the people will not rebel.
I'm afraid if many people don't follow in the rebellion, then the rebellion won't be too big.
It can be easily solved.
As a person who successfully rebelled, Zhu Yuanzhang knew this very well.
Because of this, he agreed with Han Cheng's words.
But after a moment, the excitement on Zhu Yuanzhang's face disappeared again.
"No, Han Cheng, what you said is not quite right." Zhu Yuanzhang looked at Han Cheng and said with a slight frown.
“Sugar is expensive at this time simply because the quantity is so small.
Once more sugar is produced, won’t the price of sugar come down?
So, don’t those who grow sugar cane still not make much money? "
Boss Zhu actually started to think about economic issues and started to calculate economic accounts. It was not easy, it was really not easy!
Han Chengdao: "In fact, as long as there is a market and those who make and sell sugar are willing to leave a little more profit for those who grow sugar cane, then growing sugar cane is definitely more profitable than growing food.
Farmers will not lose money.
Moreover, as long as it is managed properly, the price of sugar will not even fall, but can rise a lot. "
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, his frown deepened: "Once there are too many of something, it is worthless, that's for sure.
Do you mean that you want us to issue a decree to set the price of sugar high?
This approach is not advisable!
The price of sugar is already high enough. If I raise the price even higher, how many people will buy sugar in the future?
Once the number of people buying sugar decreases, a lot of sugar will not be sold. The excess sugar cannot be exchanged for money, and will be lost soon?
Once this happens, the sugar producers will definitely not continue to buy large amounts of sugar cane to make sugar. In the end, it will be the people who grow sugar cane who will suffer.
And... I remember you said before that you want the price of sugar in Ming Dynasty to drop so that many ordinary people can eat some sugar even if they grit their teeth.
Why is it that at this time, the price of sugar has to be raised again? "
Zhu Biao beside him was also a little confused by Han Cheng's words.
Looking at Han Cheng, waiting for Han Cheng's answer.
Han Cheng said: "I didn't explain this clearly.
What I mean is that in the future, after the Shibo Division is successfully reset, some of the sugar can be sold overseas.
It can definitely be sold for an amazing price.
The price of sugar sold in Daming became lower.
In other words, there is no conflict between selling products overseas at high prices and selling products domestically at low prices. "
After hearing Han Cheng's words, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao's doubts disappeared.
It turns out that this is what Han Cheng meant!
If you think about it this way, it's really good.
Zhu Yuanzhang was unhappy with the people in his Ming Dynasty eating high-priced candies.
But when he heard Han Cheng say that those overseas should be allowed to eat Ming Dynasty's high-priced sugar, Zhu Yuanzhang suddenly became happy.
I feel particularly comfortable.
I think this is the way to do business.
What's the point of ruthlessly killing one's own people?
Only by making a lot of money from outsiders can you be truly capable!
What Han Cheng said was very in line with his thoughts.
But soon, new questions came again.
"But can they afford to pay high prices to buy our sugar? Do they have the financial resources to buy our high-priced sugar?"
Looking at Zhu Yuanzhang who looked a little worried, Han Cheng smiled: "Your Majesty, you don't have to worry about this at all.
Sugar is very popular everywhere, especially in Europe.
Europe is where the main countries that came to our land to dominate and do various things during the Qing Tatar period are located.
Their sugar-making technology lags far behind ours.
As far as I know, sugar is a luxury product in Europe now.
As long as you have money here in Ming Dynasty, you can still buy candy.
But many people in Europe can’t afford sweets even if they have money.
As for sugar, it is a luxury item among luxuries.
So much so that for a long time, even the most important members of the royal family were able to eat some sugar when they were sick.
Whether you can eat sugar when you are sick is even regarded as a symbol of the status of a powerful person.
No matter how much you brag about yourself, when you are sick, you can't even eat sugar. This alone will make people laugh at you...
Of course, due to the special circumstances there, many countries and places are not big.
Many are not as big as one of our provinces.
But there are not many wealthy dog owners there.
Our silk, porcelain, and tea are very popular here.
In my memory, sugar is the fourth best-selling product directly following these three things.
If we improve the sugar production technology here, it will definitely make sugar equal to the previous three commodities and become another hot-selling commodity, ruthlessly harvesting wealth from overseas..."
After listening to Han Cheng's words, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao both felt that their eyes had been opened.
It turns out that Chinese things are so popular among barbarians!
It turns out that the place is so backward now that it can’t even produce much sugar!
Thinking again about what Han Cheng said about the barbarians coming to China and wreaking havoc on the land of China hundreds of years later, the feelings of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao suddenly became different.
"Sugar production! Sugar must be produced! The shipping department must also be reopened.
There are so many barbarians, or rich barbarians, waiting to give money to our Ming Dynasty. If we don't do anything to them and make money from them, I'd be really sorry for them! "
Zhu Yuanzhang's big hand slapped his thigh with a crackling sound, and it seemed that he was a little on top.
Although Zhu Biao was also excited by what Han Cheng said, he could still maintain some sense.
He quickly expressed some of his doubts.
"Han Cheng, something is not right about this.
Didn’t you say before that high-priced sugar should be sold overseas and low-sugar sold in Ming Dynasty?
But as sugar makes money overseas, many people will inevitably sell as much sugar as possible.
If more sugar is sold outside, the amount of sugar inside Daming will still be small, which means the price will not come down. "
Hearing this, Han Cheng gave Zhu Biao a thumbs up and said: "Brother, you have really considered it well. This is indeed something that people have to think about.
At this time, government management is needed.
The Municipal Shipping Department must play its due role and strictly limit the quantity of sugar exports.
How much sugar is shipped each year needs to be planned.
In overseas trade, what is often sold is that rare things are more expensive.
Otherwise, once too many takeaways are sold, the price will drop.
As a result, the amount of candies we sell for takeout has increased, and as a result, we earn less money.
This is not just true for sugar, but for other commodities as well.
So in my opinion, the most important thing for overseas trade is monopoly management.
In this case, there will not be any business groups in Ming Dynasty that will not hesitate to cut each other's prices in order to seize the market.
Doing so would only harm their own interests and those of Ming Dynasty.
Therefore, the Ming Dynasty's government and the established Municipal Shipping Department must play a leading role so that the benefits can last longer.
In exchange for more wealth at the least cost..."
After listening to Han Cheng's words, Zhu Biao and Zhu Yuanzhang both felt a sudden enlightenment.
It turns out that foreign trade can still be played like this!
When Han Cheng's words were heard suddenly, it made people feel very sinister.
But when they thought that they were making money from the barbarians outside, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao suddenly became extremely happy again.
Just make money from those barbarians and you'll be fine. There's nothing sinister about it.
"Han Cheng, please stop for a moment while I take a notebook and write it down."
Zhu Biao called Han Cheng to stop, then quickly found paper, pen and ink, and started recording quickly.
Neither Zhu Yuanzhang nor Zhu Biao were very good at resetting the Shipping Department and developing foreign trade.
Their current idea is to first take down the Biwa navy and completely control it, and then deal with the pirates entrenched outside.
For future ocean trade, provide force protection and eliminate external threats.
As for how to rebuild the Shibo Division, and what model it will operate after it is established, Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao do not yet have a clearer picture.
At this time, when Zhu Biao heard Han Cheng say this, he felt like he could see the moon from the clouds.
Han Cheng's words inspired him a lot and gave him some ideas about Shibosi.
"Huh? What kind of pen is this? Why does it look so weird?"
Zhu Biao looked at the quill placed in Han Cheng's pen holder, and looked at Han Cheng strangely.
Han Cheng immediately explained the many benefits of the quill pen.
Is it actually a pen made of goose feathers? !
After Han Cheng demonstrated, Zhu Biao also picked up the quill and used it, feeling that it was very novel.
After writing a line of words, Zhu Biao put down the quill in his hand and replaced it with a brush for writing.
For someone like him who is used to using quills, he is really not used to using quills just now.
The side hall became quiet, with only the sound of Zhu Biao writing here...
“It’s just that from now on, there will definitely be people smuggling for high profits.
Regarding smuggling, iron-blooded means must be used to combat it.
Once discovered, we will never tolerate it!
Only by strictly cracking down on smuggling can the interests and status of the Municipal Shipping Department be maintained.
Don't let it destroy the market and disrupt overseas trade..."
Han Cheng waited until Zhu Biao wrote down everything he had said before, and then continued to tell some of his views on foreign trade.
Zhu Biao nodded, fully agreeing with Han Cheng's words.
"Those pirates and some smugglers, in the past, we needed to focus our energy elsewhere, and we felt that they were just minor problems that could not cause major disasters, so we didn't pay too much attention to them.
Now that we need to reopen the shipping industry, develop overseas trade, and make money overseas, these people must be dealt with!
Whoever dares to block the road will die! "
Zhu Yuanzhang's voice was filled with murderous intent.
In the past, I didn't know that Shibosi made money like this, and I didn't know that in the desolate overseas country, it was okay to be so rich.
Now I know that if these people dare to make trouble again, Zhu Yuanzhang will never show any tolerance to them.
For a poor emperor who has had too many hard times, anyone who prevents him from making money, especially making big money, is his mortal enemy!
Han Cheng didn't say much about how to ban smuggling and combat smuggling.
He believed that according to Lao Zhu's professionalism, he would definitely be able to do this very well and without leakage.
He doesn't have to do anything here.
“If the Municipal Shipping Department wants to be established, in addition to a strong navy and corresponding policies to ensure it, it also needs very knowledgeable professionals to sit in and provide guidance.
There are many doorways here.
Not to mention the rest, just sailing long distances on the sea requires too much experience.
In addition to these, what are the customs and customs of each place, what goods do they like, and what is produced locally... This series of things needs to be prepared in advance.
If you figure all these things out, you won't be blind..."
Zhu Biao lowered his head and wrote quickly, for fear of missing a word Han Cheng said.
Zhu Yuanzhang also listened very carefully.
Both he and Zhu Biao were blinded by Han Cheng tonight.
Originally, I just came here to ask if I could find substitutes for sugar and eggs. Who would have thought that there would be such a big windfall?
"By the way, I suddenly thought of a person, I don't know if he is still there.
If this person can be found, it will benefit the Shishi Shipping Company’s overseas trade immensely! "
While talking about things related to Shibo Division, a person's name suddenly popped into Han Cheng's mind.
Han Cheng couldn't help but feel happy, secretly wondering how he had forgotten this person before!
Fortunately, I remembered it at this time, otherwise, the loss would have been huge.
"who?"
"Han Cheng, tell me!"
As soon as Han Cheng finished his words, the voices of Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao rang together.
Although the words are different, the meaning conveyed is the same.
"This man's name is Wang Dayuan, and his courtesy name is Huanzhang."
Han Cheng said Wang Dayuan's name.
The name Wang Dayuan is relatively unfamiliar to many people in later generations.
He is far less famous than Zheng He, who sailed an "aircraft carrier" on seven voyages to the Western Ocean.
However, Wang Dayuan was a man who started sailing decades earlier than Zheng He.
He started sailing when he was young and followed the fleet to do business.
He also wrote a book called "Dao Yi Zhi Lue", which recorded the detailed geographical location, features and other things in the Nanyang area.
He is an experienced navigator.
If a talent like Wang Dayuan could be brought into the Shipping Department, he could be put into full play and his talents would be fully utilized.
With such a very experienced person in charge, many things in Shibo Company will go particularly smoothly.
"Wang Dayuan?"
Zhu Yuanzhang muttered and began to think quickly here.
After some thinking, I found that there was no such person in my memory.
Zhu Biao was also unimpressed.
Han Cheng said: "It's normal that you have no impression of him. This man is not very famous in this era, he is just a maritime businessman.
While the Yuan Dynasty was still there, he was already doing business outside.
He has basically traveled to many places in Southeast Asia. "
After listening to Han Cheng's words, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded. If Wang Dayuan was just a maritime businessman, then he didn't know that this person was normal.
Later, after listening to Han Cheng say something about Wang Dayuan, Zhu Yuanzhang immediately made up his mind that Wang Dayuan must be found!
Such a person is exactly the talent that the Shipping Company is in urgent need of right now!
Even if Wang Dayuan has passed away at this time, his descendants must be found!
“About the Shipping Department and overseas trade, I can only think of so much right now.
If I think of anything else next, I will talk to my eldest brother and His Majesty. "
Han Cheng thought about it carefully, and after confirming that there was really nothing to say, he ended the topic about Shibosi.
Zhu Yuanzhang and Zhu Biao felt that they had benefited a lot, but they still had some unfinished ideas.
However, Han Chengdu had already said this, so it was hard for Zhu Yuanzhang to ask further questions.
Sitting here and thinking about it, I found that I gained a lot from Han Cheng this time.
Not only did I know how to solve the problem of sugar shortage, but I also solved the governance problem in the southwest.
You must know that the southwest is far away from the Central Plains, has a remote location, difficult conditions, and strong folk customs, making it easy to cause trouble and rebellion.
After being ruled by Yuan Tatar for so many years, the problem became even more serious.
Although I have captured the southwest here, it will take too much effort to make the southwest more stable.
If one doesn't get it right, it can easily become like Xiliang to the big Han people, which is constantly in war and sucking the blood of the Eastern Han Dynasty.
But now, Han Cheng came to the southwest to make sugar, linking sugar making with gunpowder manufacturing and future foreign trade.
So many things were sorted out at once!
It not only solves the problem of sugar for gunpowder, but also benefits many people in the southwest.
tied to the interests of the imperial court.
Although it is impossible for this sugar industry to benefit every household in the southwest, it is enough if it can be achieved to this extent!
Once what Han Cheng said is completed in the southwest, even if there is a rebellion in the southwest in the future, the scale will not be large and there will be no chaos!
Not only will Southwest not suck the blood of the imperial court, it will also bring a lot of wealth to the imperial court!
wonderful!
It's so wonderful! !
The governance policy in the southwest is much better than what I imagined!
This seemingly ordinary move actually solved all his worries about Southwest!
Not to mention, in addition to these, Han Cheng also said so much about the construction of the Shipping Department and overseas trade.
This time it’s true value.
Zhu Yuanzhang really had the feeling that listening to you is better than ten years of reading!
Even if the sincere uncle Liu Bowen was still alive, he would not be able to come up with these methods.
"Father-in-law, do you think now that you agree to let Yourong and I get married within a year, it's a particularly good deal?"
Zhu Yuanzhang, who was thinking that his promise to Han Cheng and Yourong to get married within a year, was indeed worth it, was stunned when he heard this. Could this kid have some mind-reading skills?
After being stunned for a moment, he immediately returned to normal.
With a somewhat picky look, he said: "A good deal? Why do I feel like I've lost a lot.
Just this little thing forced me to advance my wedding date by two years. "
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't see Han Cheng's arrogant face and always wanted to hit him.
Seeing this, Han Cheng nodded and said, "Oh, that's how it is~
I originally had some important things that I wanted to tell my father-in-law. In that case, I won’t show my shame. "
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he immediately smiled: "Look, we are making a joke for you, why are you taking it seriously..."
(End of chapter)
